How to Get Dressed After Hip Replacement

After hip replacement, get dressed while sitting on a stable chair or bed, and put clothing on the operated leg first. Loose-fitting clothes and tools such as a reacher, sock aid, and long-handled shoehorn can help you avoid bending or twisting. Follow the hip movement precautions your surgeon or occupational therapist gave you, because restrictions may vary according to your procedure and individual recovery.

Getting dressed can be challenging during the first weeks after hip replacement because your movement may be restricted, and reaching your feet can be uncomfortable. With the right clothing, supportive seating, and dressing aids, you can make this daily task easier while protecting your new hip. Practising the recommended techniques with your hospital's occupational therapy team can help you become more independent at home.

What should you prepare before getting dressed?

Before you start, gather everything you need so you do not have to bend down, reach across the room, or walk around unnecessarily. Choose a firm, stable chair with a backrest and armrests, or sit on a suitable bed if you can get on and off it safely. Avoid low, soft sofas that make it difficult to stand up without bending your hips too far.

Choose loose, comfortable clothing that is easy to pull over your feet and hips. Wide-leg trousers, elastic-waist pants, loose underwear, and roomy tops are often easier to manage than tight-fitting garments. Flat, supportive shoes with nonslip soles are also helpful. The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust recommends preparing suitable clothing and sturdy footwear for the hospital stay and practising everyday activities with the care team.

Which dressing aids can make getting dressed easier?

Dressing aids reduce the need to bend forward or reach toward your feet. An occupational therapist can show you which devices suit your mobility, your surgical precautions, and your home environment. You may not need every device, so discuss suitable options before purchasing equipment.

• Reacher or dressing stick: A long-handled tool with a gripping end that helps you guide underwear and trousers over your feet and pull clothing upward without reaching down.
• Sock aid: A device that holds a sock open so you can slide your foot into it while remaining seated.
• Long-handled shoehorn: Helps guide your heel into a shoe without bending down to pull the back of the shoe into place.
• Elastic shoelaces: These can make lace-up shoes easier to put on and remove without repeatedly tying and untying them.
• Help from a caregiver: Assistance may be necessary for tasks you cannot complete safely with equipment alone.

The Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust rehabilitation guide describes using a reacher, sock aid, and long-handled shoehorn during recovery. Your occupational therapist can demonstrate how to use these tools without breaking your hip precautions.

How do you put on underwear and trousers after hip replacement?

The usual technique is to put clothing on the operated leg first and remove it from that leg last. This approach can reduce unnecessary movement of the recovering hip. Follow the instructions provided by your surgical team, especially if you have specific restrictions on bending, turning, or moving the leg.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Sit down first. Use a stable chair or suitable bed and position your walking aid within easy reach without creating a tripping hazard.
2. Prepare the clothing. Open the waistband and use a reacher or dressing stick to hold the garment if you cannot reach your feet comfortably.
3. Guide the operated leg into the garment. Lower the fabric over the foot using the dressing aid. Do not lean forward or pull the operated knee toward your chest.
4. Insert the other leg. Once the operated leg is in place, guide the other foot through its trouser or underwear leg.
5. Pull the garment upward. Use the reacher to bring the clothing up as far as you comfortably can while sitting.
6. Adjust the waistband safely. Only stand when necessary and when you can do so safely using your prescribed walking aid or a stable support, following the technique taught by your therapist. Ask for help if you feel unsteady.

To take off underwear or trousers, reverse the process: remove the garment from the unoperated leg first and the operated leg last. Sit throughout the task whenever possible. The North Bristol NHS Trust provides similar guidance on dressing the operated leg first and using appropriate dressing aids.

How can you put on socks after hip replacement?

Socks can be difficult to put on because reaching the toes may require bending at the hip. If your care team has advised you to avoid this movement, do not try to stretch down toward your feet or lift the operated leg toward your body. A sock aid can help you put on socks while sitting upright.

Using a sock aid

1. Sit on a stable chair or bed in the position recommended by your therapist.
2. Slide the sock over the sock aid according to the device's instructions.
3. Hold the attached straps or cords and lower the device toward the floor without leaning forward excessively.
4. Place your foot into the sock opening and slide it forward as instructed.
5. Pull the straps gently to bring the sock onto your foot, then remove the device.

Practise the technique with an occupational therapist if the device is unfamiliar. Avoid forcing your foot into the sock aid if doing so causes pain or requires a movement you have been told not to perform.

Some people are also prescribed compression stockings after surgery. These are different from ordinary socks and may be part of a plan to reduce blood clot risk. Ask your surgical team or nurse how to put them on and remove them safely, and how long you should wear them. Arrange assistance if you cannot manage the stockings without unsafe bending.

How should you put on shoes after hip replacement?

Choose shoes that are easy to put on, secure on your feet, and suitable for walking with your prescribed mobility aid. Supportive shoes with low heels and nonslip soles are generally easier to manage than high heels or loose footwear. Slip-on designs or shoes with elastic laces may also be useful if bending and tying laces are difficult.

Use a long-handled shoehorn to guide the back of the shoe around your heel. Keep your operated leg in the position recommended by your therapist. Do not pull your knee up toward your chest or bend forward to reach the shoe. If your shoe does not slide on easily, stop and readjust your position or ask for assistance rather than forcing your hip into an uncomfortable movement.

The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital recommends sitting while dressing and using suitable aids for socks and shoes when hip precautions apply. It also advises wearing supportive shoes with low heels.

What is the safest way to dress your upper body?

Putting on a shirt, blouse, or loose top is often easier than dressing your lower body, but balance and comfort still matter. Sit on a stable chair while putting on or removing clothing, particularly in the early stages of recovery. Gather your clothing beforehand and avoid twisting around to reach sleeves or garments behind you.

Choose tops with wide openings, front buttons, or zippers if pulling clothing over your head is uncomfortable. Put one arm into a sleeve at a time and use slow, controlled movements. If you need to reach behind your back or turn your torso to manage a garment, ask your occupational therapist for an alternative method.

Which hip precautions should you follow while dressing?

Some people receive specific hip precautions intended to limit movements that could place their new joint at risk. These instructions depend on your operation and the advice of your surgical team. Do not assume that another person's restrictions or recovery timeline apply to you.

If your team has given you hip precautions, follow them when getting dressed and throughout your daily routine. Depending on your instructions, you may need to avoid bending the hip beyond a certain point, crossing your legs, or turning the operated leg inward. Use your dressing aids rather than testing whether you can reach your feet without them.

The MedlinePlus guide to caring for a new hip joint explains the importance of following movement precautions during daily activities, including dressing. Ask your surgeon or occupational therapist when you can reduce your use of dressing aids or resume movements that were previously restricted.

How can you make dressing easier at home?

A little preparation can make dressing safer and less tiring. Keep your clothing, shoes, socks, and dressing aids within easy reach at waist level or another height recommended by your therapist. Remove loose rugs and other obstacles around the dressing area. Make sure the chair or bed you use is stable and that you can access your walking aid without stretching or twisting.

Give yourself enough time, and take a break if you become tired. Avoid dressing while standing on one leg or balancing without support. If you live alone or need assistance with socks, compression stockings, or trousers, arrange help before returning home. Practise the complete routine with your care team before discharge so you know how to manage it safely.

When should you ask for help?

Do not force a dressing movement that causes sharp or increasing pain, makes you lose your balance, or requires you to break your prescribed hip precautions. Ask your occupational therapist to review your technique or recommend a different dressing aid if you cannot get dressed safely on your own.

Contact your surgical team promptly if you experience a sudden increase in hip pain, have a fall involving the operated leg, or feel as though your new hip has shifted out of position. These concerns should be assessed rather than managed by trying different dressing positions yourself.